Just did the 30k service.. - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

99-Boxster-MK · 10-15-2005, 12:11 PM

Wow.... This was soooooooo easy. I just saved myself 1000 bux, as the parts only cost me about 200, and the dealer wanted 1200 for this..

Hardest/longest part were the plugs, but they were pretty easy just took a long time and if you take your time, no problems. the back ones on each side are the hardest

The entire service took about 2 hours for me and a friend to do.

I would also like to say that I got my parts from pap-parts and their quality is above that of the parts I pulled out of the car (dealer installed) The best example was the pollen filter, as it was a piece of crap, but the one from pap parts, which cost 1/3 the price was charcoal activated, thicker and much better.

If anybody is thinking of doing this yourself, definetly go for it... An added plus is you get to see your engine

ehehe

Mike

Ronzi · 10-15-2005, 12:59 PM

If you and a friend did the "30k service" in 2 hours (with no previous experience), then you DID NOT do what the dealer charges the thousand bucks for.
I am not disputing that you changed the oil, plugs, and filters, all at a considerable savings over dealer fees, but I wager you did none of the laundry list of things performed by the dealer at the major maintenance interval.
The maintenance manual for the '99 Boxster lists 24 separate checks and inspections to be performed in addition to the replacing the oil, plugs and filters.
All this takes a trained Porsche mechanic about 5 hours to complete.
What you did was only a part of the specified maintenance.
This serves to emphasize the difference between owner maintenance and authorized dealer, or at least Porsche specialist shop, maintenance.
Somewhere down the road you are going to want to sell your Boxster, and if a prospective purchaser is at all savvy, they are going to want to see the maintenance records. A hand full of sales slips for oil, filters and plugs is a poor substitute for certified maintenance records.

xclusivecar · 10-15-2005, 02:10 PM

Ronzi-

I semi-disagree. I've seen many a shop, dealership or not, do the "checkover". Literally it's just a look-over. No special equipment is used to do this and the mechanic might tap and pull on a few parts under the car but thats it! I'm not saying all dealerships or mechanics do this but business these days doesn't warrant allowing a tech to spend 5 hours on a car!

As far as selling the car without proper Porsche documentation...the grand he saves today in labor will more than pay for itself. If a savvy purchaser wants to knock a few bucks off the cars selling price due to not having the car serviced at a Porsche dealership, I highly doubt it would be much at all. Most people just want to make sure the basic upkeep was at least done to the car and a handfull of receipts should be just fine.

Just my opinion!

kavlono · 10-15-2005, 02:32 PM

The other risk you face when you do it yourself is that if anything goes wrong with the car and you take it in for warranty work, what do you do if the dealers says that the problem was caused by an improper 30k service and tells you 1) the problem is not under warranty is going to be many thousands, and 2) the warranty had been voided. Granted it is illegal for the dealer to require that you have them service it. But what I do is always have my vehicle serviced by the dealer during the warranty period just to avoid and such issues.
I agree that if you know what you are doing it is better to do it yourself. You know it is done right and save money.

Brucelee · 10-15-2005, 03:23 PM

During the warranty period, I think it prudent to use Porsche for the scheduled maint. After that, I would not do so for cost reasons.

spine911 · 10-15-2005, 03:56 PM

I just did the 60k service maintenance with the Spark Plug Tube/Gasket replacement. Dealer quoted $1,350 just for the 60k service/parts, NOT including the Spark Plug Tube/Gasket replacement and parts. I got the 60k service parts from pap-parts for $295. Total time for the whole service is only 3 hours(that includes hooking up my car to the Porsche diagnostic computer, cleaning the water drains/air ducts, brake fluid replacement/bleeding, Spark Plug Tube replacement, cig. lighter repair). Service was performed by my Master Technician friend of a major Porsche Dealer in SoCal.

Adam · 10-15-2005, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xclusivecar

Ronzi

As far as selling the car without proper Porsche documentation...the grand he saves today in labor will more than pay for itself. If a savvy purchaser wants to knock a few bucks off the cars selling price due to not having the car serviced at a Porsche dealership, I highly doubt it would be much at all. Most people just want to make sure the basic upkeep was at least done to the car and a handfull of receipts should be just fine.

Just my opinion!

Yeah, I agree with you. Say you buy your car new and pay for all the services required at the dealer until 60k miles. You spend 3k in service with them(this is conservative). You decided to sell the car then and get a camry or something. Does having all the documention add 3k to the car's value? Or does not having the car dealer serviced reduce the car's value by 3k? I would think not. At worst you will break even I would imagine.

99-Boxster-MK · 10-15-2005, 07:34 PM

Geez.. I wasn't expecting this reaction.. I was proud of myself until I read all this.. thanks for the support guys.

BTW, before you start bashing me I did everything that was specified in the service checklist, inclusing hooking up to a code reader, and we even bled the breaks.

If you guys want to continue funding the new granite floors and marble bathroom in the dealership owners house then go ahead, but please don't bash me or other for wanting to do the work ourselves.

I much rather get my hands dirty and get a beter understanding about my car, then pay someone else to do it. It's not a money issue as I am more then able to afford dealer upkeep, but why?

If you think about it 2 people at just over 2 hours is 4 hours of labour anyways.. so its damm close. Me and my friend weren't working together, as much as each of us were doing our own thing. I did half the plugs, he did the other half, while he was jaking the car and taking the wheels off, I was replacing the air and cabin filters, etc... so I think we were rather thorough.

Mike

kavlono · 10-15-2005, 07:45 PM

Its not bashing. It is helping you understand the downside. I am sure we are all envious that you can do that and we old want to also. I know I am. Presenting someone with the negative consequences of their actions is good because it allows people to act with their eyes open.

markk · 10-15-2005, 09:51 PM

You did fine. Do my basic maintenance myself too on a new purchased 01S.
OPC is a ripoff.

And the sollution to reduced price when selling is DON'T SELL IT. Enjoy it for live.

Mark.

Tool Pants · 10-16-2005, 01:34 AM

I did my own 30, 40, and in a short while will be doing the 60k service. I have done the 60k service on other Boxsters but I have not yet reached that mileage on my own car. There is nothing magic about it. The warranty was over 6 years ago.

MNBoxster · 10-16-2005, 07:21 AM

HI,

Too many people think there's something mystical about Porsche Mechanics and Porsche Service. Many of them have less education and mechanical experience than many of us.

The Warranty Violation issue is a semi-valid one - your warranty for a non-related part is still intact - By Law - whether you had the Maintenance done by the OPC or not.

The Resale argument is a bunch of Baloney! If you do your own work properly and thoroughly, there'll be no difference between DIY and OPC. If maintained properly, either by you or the OPC, this will reflect in the overall condition of the Car. No prospective buyer is going to worry about what method was used if the car is a fine example, they're just going to want the car. If they try to use OPC Service as a haggling point, just don't let them - stick to your price. If the car is a good example properly maintained, you'll have no trouble finding another buyer.

On the other hand, an OPC maintained car is no guarantee whatever that the car is in any better shape than the PPI indicates. It will certainly be neither a Deal Maker or a Deal Breaker - it's the car which counts!

I say Bravo for the job you did! My car will never see the OPC unless the service is a better use of my time or resources or if it is beyond my capabilities which are quite broad - including Engine/Transmission rebuilding, and just about everything in between. For me, OPC Service is simply a waste of money, for others (who cannot or will not do their own work, OPC is their best option)...

Happy Motoring!...Jim'99

99-Boxster-MK · 10-16-2005, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tool Pants

There is nothing magic about it.

Exactly my point...

Some things are even easier on the porsche then on some other cars. I think doing your own maintenance is a great way to learn about your car, and to get an appreciation of how well built and designed it is.

Mike

deliriousga · 10-16-2005, 08:22 AM

A few thoughts.

As Brucelee suggested, I had the dealer do everything until the warranty ran out just in case, but after that I've only had one other tech touch the Boxster one time.

Also, as several have said, there are several checks to be done at the same time. The full service takes me about 4 hours on my own so two guys doing it in two hours is pretty close as long as all of the checks were done. These checks really need to be done so if you don't plan on doing the checks, then you should not do the service yourself.

As far as a buyer wanting service records from a dealer, that is true for a model that's a few years old, but as they age you have to be aware of the buyer. Buyers of models that are 5+ years old are more likely to take care of things on their own. The reason is, if they have the money to pay somebody $200-$300 for every oil change, they have the money for a new model. Most buyers of a 5+ year old model would rather know the car is relatively easy to repair and service themselves. If you have all of the receipts and keep a journal of dates and exactly what was done, they see you have more interest in the car than most others. When you offer to take it to the Porsche dealer of their choice for them to have a PPI done, they know you are confident in the car and the service you have done.

Finally, and I think most important, as Jim stated, the "Porsche Specialist" does not always have more education concerning the Boxster than you, nor does he always the best interest of your car at heart (if ever). Not all dealerships require their techs to be Porsche Certified. Bottom line is it's the "bottom line". The specialist will do what his manager tells him to do in the interest of getting it done and out so the next can come in. Own your car for awhile and you will see what I mean. When I do things to my Boxster, they are done right and I take the time to make sure that's the case because it is my Boxster.

Things that "Porsche Specialists" did to my 928

Here's a list of some of the wonderful things Porsche Specialists did to my 928 as an example of how little somebody else cares about your Porsche. The PO of my 928 had the records and everything was done at a Porsche dealer or by a Porsche Certified Mechanic. Keep in mind, if this car were available today it would be a $120K+ automobile (thank God for depreciation in my case

), but they still did this stuff:

1) Missing bolts on the water pump. That's right, I replaced the TB and WP when I first bought it. Two bolts were missing on the water pump.

2) The PO said the A/C did not work. He had it checked out by a Porsche Specialist but it still did not work. He was not concerned with it because he lived up north so he left it alone. So what was this horrendous problem that alluded the specialist? The A/C compressor sending wire was unplugged.

I found it while replacing the TB and WP. Plugged it in and the A/C has worked beautifully ever since.

3) Several other bolts/screws were missing in the engine bay.

4) There are some flaps in the front of the car that close off the air flow when the engine is cold to help it warm up faster. As the engine temp rises, the flaps open until they are completely open at operating temp. They were opening and closing constantly, back and forth, so the PO had it checked out. They told him it needed a new motor at $400 w/ labor. He didn't want to pay that much so they disconnected them in the open position. When I bought it, a trip to a forum suggested the relay was the problem, so I replaced the relay and it's been working beautifully ever since.

These are just a few of the things I have found so far. I'm sure others will surface as I work on it more.

Bottom line for me is if you want to do your own maintenance/repairs, do it, but only if you want to do the entire service and do it right. Otherwise pay someone else to read the manuals and do it.

Ronzi · 10-16-2005, 06:33 PM

Kudos to those of you that do your own maintenance, and I wish you every happiness.
In defense of my position, I offer the same hypothetical situation that I did the last time this issue came up on this forum.
You are examining for purchase two 10 yr old Boxsters. Both have approximately the same mileage, both appear to be in the same excellent condition, and drive well. A pre-purchase inspection reveals no apparent problems with either car. The asking price for each is approximately the same.
One of them has complete documentation for all maintenance either from an authorized Porsche dealer or from a Porsche specialist after the expiration of the factory warranty. The other car has a manila folder with a bunch of sales receipts for oil and spark plugs from Auto Zone.
Which one do you buy?

MNBoxster · 10-16-2005, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronzi

Kudos to those of you that do your own maintenance, and I wish you every happiness.
In defense of my position, I offer the same hypothetical situation that I did the last time this issue came up on this forum.
You are examining for purchase two 10 yr old Boxsters. Both have approximately the same mileage, both appear to be in the same excellent condition, and drive well. A pre-purchase inspection reveals no apparent problems with either car. The asking price for each is approximately the same.
One of them has complete documentation for all maintenance either from an authorized Porsche dealer or from a Porsche specialist after the expiration of the factory warranty. The other car has a manila folder with a bunch of sales receipts for oil and spark plugs from Auto Zone.
Which one do you buy?

Hi,

Rarely are two cars as similar as you describe. I buy the Best one - period. The manner in which it was maintained makes no difference to me, properly maintained means just that.

I place no higher value on an OPC maintained car, in fact, I may place a lower value on it than a proper DIY Car for reasons others have already stated.

And if the cars are as equal as your hypothesis, I play one against the other and get the best deal. Any Car which would interest me would be worth buying at some price. I have owned 39 cars in my life, 33 of them used and I have never bought a Lemon yet. I have also never sold one for less than I paid for it, often times for much, much, more. I have sold Cars for 2½ times what I've paid for them and all Cars were maintained by me. I once toyed with selling my Lotus Esprit, because I was offered 3 times what I paid for it. When I took it to the Lotus Dealer for a PPI, they said they had never seen one in as good a condition and this was a 21 y.o. car solely maintained by me. Later, I chose not to part with it.

I don't fault you if OPC Maintenance means that much to you, I just think you're mistaken and placing waay too much value on it...

Happy Motoring!...Jim'99

Brucelee · 10-17-2005, 06:14 AM

In Ronzi's sceario, I would personally value the Porsche maintained car over Mike the Mechanic"s receipts (or even Jim the Mechanic). Subjectively, I am not sure how much but I would buy the dealer maintained car, ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL.

I can tell you that among my Porsche customers, that is a tendency of say, maybe half my buyers (very unscientific I know).

So, I am clear that there is no right or wrong answer to this question. It is, like many issues here, one of how one chooses to spend their time and money.

Hey, I was watching the ALCS when I could have been changing the oil in my Box!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Perfectlap · 10-17-2005, 06:24 AM

Same here, I'll go for the dealer maintained car every time. A prospective buyer has no idea what sort of training/competence a DIY owner has. As opposed to a Porsche mechaninc who does the same procedures hundreds of times the average DIY owner is doing most of these upkeeps for the first time on a particular car. Its a big difference in the piece of mind department for a educated buyer.

kavlono · 10-17-2005, 06:41 AM

Dealer maintaned-without a question.

RandallNeighbour · 10-17-2005, 06:54 AM

Now here's where I must differ with a few of you.

I've bought pre-owned cars from guys who really loved the car I was buying. They did all their own maintenance, and researched what needed replacement and did lots of preventative maintenance and replacement on the drivetrain, suspension, etc.

I'd buy a car from a guy who flat loved his car enough to learn how it works and how to repair it to his own level of satisfaction over a guy who enjoyed driving his car and took it to a dealership.

Last weekend I bought a floor jack. In a year or two I will have done some big repairs on the car myself and will be proud to say that if it needs fixing, I can do that myself or learn along side my mechanic while he does the work and I help him.

Whoever buys my car (which won't be any time soon) will drive away knowing that he or she has bought a vehicle that has been cared for by a hands-on owner who not only did his own maintenance and repairs to save money, but for the love of doing it and the love of the vehicle. <-- That's the kind of person from which I would like to buy my next Porsche, if I ever sell mine.